Game apparatus



(No Model.)

' A. KELLOGG. Game Apparatus.

No. 230,941.. PatentedAug. 1o, 1880.

UNITED STATES ANSEL N. KELLOGG, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS.

GAM E APPARATUS.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 230,947, dated August 10, 1880.

Application lcd April 3, 1880.

To all whom it may concern Be it known that I, ANSEL N. KELLOGG, of Chicago, in-the county of Cook and State of Illinois,have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Game Apparatus, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to improvements in apparatus for playing games; and the same consists in a triangular-shaped box frame or ease provided with a number of small movable triangular blocks, properly designated by number, adapted to be arranged in different orders by sliding` or moving the same about the case.

In the accompanying drawings, which form a part of this specification, Figure 1 is a plan ofa device embodying my invention. Fig. 2 is a side view of the same, the cover for the ease being indicated bythe broken line. Fig. 8 is a section ot' the same on the line x x of Fig. 1. Fig. 4 is a plan of one ot' the movable triangular blocks; and Fig. 5 is a side view of the same.

In said drawings similar letters of reference indicate like parts throughout all the figures.

A represents the bottom ot' the triangular case or box, and B the sides of the same. The sides B of the box should be made of about the same height as the thickness of the blocks C. The box may be made of different sizes, depending, however, upon the size and number of the blocks C, and it may be constructed in the form of an equilateral triangle, as shown in the drawings, or it may be made in the form of a right-angle triangle, or other shaped triangle; but I prefer to make it in the form of an equilateral triangle, as that presentsa more regular figure.

C C are the triangular movable blocks, made of such size that 9 16 25, or other square number of them, just ill the interior ot' the triangular box with such snugness as to permit of the blocks being readily slid or moved into diii'erent positions when two or more of the blocks are removed from the box, but not to permit of their being turned around. The blocks C are all ot' the same size, and are similar in shape to the triangular boxthat is to say, if the box is an equilateral triangle the blocks are also equilateral trian- (No model.)

gies, whose sides are one-third, one-fourth, one-fth thelength ofthe side of the box, and if the box is in the form of a right-angle triangle the blocks are similar right-angle triangles.

The tops of the blocks are marked or stamped with numbers from 1 to 9, 16, or 25, consecutively, according to the number of blocks employed; or they may be marked with letters, which may be arranged to spell or read different words or sentences; or they may be otherwise designated by appropriate characters, and the game consist, as before, in moving them into certain orders or positions.

The top corners ofthe blocks are cut or beveled oft somewhat to afford facility in moving` them.

The central block, which in the drawings is marked 7, is provided with a hole, D, for the insertion ot' a pin or plug, d, which tits in a corresponding hole, D'. in the bottom ofthe box, for the purpose ot' securing said blockin position and rendering the same immovable when desired. The same feature may be used with others ofthe blocks, if desired.

The boxes may be made to contain any square number of blocks, such as 9 16 25, but

a box provided, for instance, with sixteen.

blocks, may be used as a box containing nine blocks by leaving the blocks from 10 to 16 in position and considering them as immovable in the box, and so also with a box containing twenty-tive blocks may be used as a box containing sixteen or nine blocks.

In playing games which consist in arranging the blocks in particular orders by sliding them from one position to another, two of the blocks are to be removed from the box, the blocks numbered 15 and 16, for instance, if the box used is one containing sixteen blocks.

My invention is adapted to be used in playing a variety of interesting games, either with all the blocks movable or with some one or more of them xed, as described; and it is also adapted to be used in those games which consist in arranging the blocks so that the sums of their numbers in all directions shall be the same.

I am aware that square boxes containing sixteen square blocks have been used hereto- IOO fore, commonly known as the Fifteen Puzzie. I disolaim this as no part of my invention.

The triau guiar disposition of the blocks renders the moves in the game more complicated and difficult, while at the same time there is no impossibility of solution with free blocks.

The feature of fastening one or more of the blocks may be employed with a square box or case and square blocks; but I prefer to employ the triangular form.

I claim- The combina tion of a triangular box orranie With movable blocks shaped similarly to the box, marked with numbers thereon, and r 5 adapted to be arranged in different orders by sliding or moving,` them about in the boX, substantially as set forth.

ANSEL N. KELLOGG.

Witnesses EDMUND ADoooK, H. M. MUNDAY. 

